In 2020, the department commissioned the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) to compile the earning and learning report because existing data for retention rates and SACE completion is limited. 

ACER interviewed 580 year 10 to 12 students from 101 schools who had either left school early or appeared to be at risk of not completing SACE.

The report is the most detailed examination of the factors influencing a young person’s decision to stay or leave school ever compiled in South Australia. 

It has provided the department with a thorough understanding of where students who leave prior to completing SACE have gone.  

This information will be used in developing policies to support young people into work, training or further study.

The Earning and Learning Pathways report (PDF 5MB) is now available to download.